Science Lesson Plan What Pet Should We Get Grade Level: K-5

Unit Plan

Teacher preparation: Go to the Pets in the Classroom website and review the grant requirements. Check on the availability of pet grants left for this school year by clicking on step 3 and choosing a pet store. This will provide you with a list of pets available at your pet store of choice. Use those pets as your student’s available choices. Review your school district’s policy on pets in the classroom.Review the needs and requirements of the pets you are considering.

Engage: Read aloud the book “What Pet Should I Get” by Dr. Seuss, or “Oh the Pets You Can Get”.Tell your students that your class will be applying for a grant and if you are awarded it you will get a classroom pet.

Explore: Provide students with pet care sheets to read and discuss. Each group or individual student fills out a research sheet about a pet using the pet care sheet and pet prices list.Students present and share information with class. As information is shared, students fill in Pet Data Sheet. (also see grade level activity for your grade)Benchmark Standards for grade level specific lessons:SC.K.L.14.3 Observe plants and animals, describe how they are alike and how they are different in the way they look and in the things they do.SC.1.L.17.1 Through observation, recognize that all plants and animals, including humans, need the basic necessities of air, water, food, and space.SC.2SC.2.L.17.2 Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs.SC.4SC.3.L.15.1 Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.SC.4.L.17.2 Explain that animals, including humans, cannot make their own food and that when animals eat plants or other animals, the energy stored in the food source is passed to them.SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycles variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.

Explain: (Student’s explain) See grade level specific lesson plan.K-1 – students draw/write/tell why they think the class should get a certain pet. 2-9 - Students can write an opinion or a persuasive essay about which pet you should get. You may hold a debate or a vote to decide.

Evaluate – see evaluation on grade level specific lesson plans. *The evaluation will depend on which subject area and grade level this lesson is used for. Extend (This may be based on student’s questions or need based)

Research pets Ask a pet store to bring animals to your classroom for your students to see. Ask them to discuss

proper pet care. Math connection – use the Habitat Decision Sheet to choose a habitat for a pet.

Use the Habitat decision sheet, Pet Prices sheet, and cost of pet food to find the cost of purchasing a pet and the yearly cost of keeping it. Early grades remove decimals and use whole numbers.

Add a “twist”. The pet your students chose may not be available and they will need to choose from available pets.

What Pet Should We Get? Reseach

Pet __________________Habitat

Environment

Care

Food

Life expectancy

Smell/ shedding

(Round prices to the nearest dollar.)

Cost of pet _________

Cost of habitat _________

Cost of food per week or month________

Pet Prices(At Petsmart January 2019)

Picture Name Price

Gerbil $11.99

Male Betta $4.59

Dwarf Rabbit $49.99

Mexican Tarantula $39.99

Red Eared Slider Turtle $24.99

Leopard Gecko $39.99

Bearded Dragon $39.99

African Clawed Frog $19.99

Ball Python $39.99

Guinea Pig $31.99

Mouse $6.99

Rat $10.99

Hamster $12.99

Hermit Crab $5.99

Pet Food Costs

Pet Diet Type Pet Food PriceGerbil Herbivore Pellets, seeds, hay $5.99/month

Male Betta Carnivore Fish food $2.29/monthDwarf Rabbit Herbivore Rabbit diet and Hay $15.00/ month

Mexican Tarantula

Carnivore Live crickets $3.99 / month

Red Eared Slider Turtle

Omnivore Repto min food, insects, live fish

$5.69/ month

Leopard Gecko Carnivore Leopard Gecko food and live meal worms

or crickets

$4.39 /month

Bearded Dragon Omnivore Dragon pellets $6.99/monthAfrican Clawed

FrogCarnivore Dried shrimp pellets $1.00/month

Ball Python Carnivore Frozen mice $15.99/monthGuinea Pig Herbivore Guinea pig diet and

hay$11.89/ month

Mouse Herbivore Pellets, seeds, hay $5.99/monthRat Herbivore Pellets, seeds, hay $8.99/month

Hamster Herbivore Pellets, seeds, hay $5.99/monthHermit Crab Omnivore Hermit crab diet $5.97/ month

Habitats for mice, hamsters and gerbils

Minimum cage size requirements for classroom animals. *Florida State Law, Code # 39-6.004 A-7

Mice, hamsters and gerbils 1-2 animals 10x10 floor space and 1 gnawing log

Photo Price Dimensions Includes Consumer rating$29.99 16"L x 10.5"W x 10.5"H Bedding Tray

water bottleExercise wheelFood dish

$39.99 16" L x 10.5"W x 18"H. water bottle food dish2 climbing tubesslidecritter ball

$55.99 22.5"L x 12"W x 12.5"H LadderExercise Wheel 2 HousesWater bottleFood dish

Habitats for Beta FishPhoto Price Capacity Includes Consumer

rating

$40 2 gallons Tank only

$7 .25 gallon(¼ gallon)

Tank only

$20 1 gallon Tank only

Aquariums do not include dechlorinator, gravel, decorative plant, or fish net. You will need an additional $20 to purchase these items.

Minimum cage size requirements for classroom animals. *Florida State Law, Code # 39-6.004 A-7

1 gallon of water per 1 inch of fish.

Habitats for Bearded Dragon (Adult bearded dragons grow to be 18-22 inches long.)Photo Price Capacity Includes Consumer rating

$170 20 Gallon, 30"L x 12"W x 12"H

1 Screen Hood w/fluorescent lamp1 Combo deep dome lamp fixture(1) 10 lb VitaSand substrate1 Reptile thermometer1 Food/water dish1 Bag of food1 Repti Calcium1 Bearded Dragon Care Book

$200 36"Lx18"Wx18"H40 gallon

1 Screen hood w/ fluorescent lamp 1 Deep Dome Lamp Fixture, and Repti Basking Spot Lamp(1)12-lb bag of Reptisand 1 Repti Rock food and water dish 1 Bag Bearded Dragon Food, Tropical Fruit Mix-In Food, and Can O' Worms1 Care of Bearded Dragons book Includes Repti Calcium, Reptivite, and Reptisafe Water Conditioner 1 temperature/humidity gauge

$260 36"Lx18"Wx18"H40 gallon

1 sliding screen top1 Sand Mat1 Solar Glo mercury vapor bulb1 Ceramic Reptile Dome

Minimum cage size requirements for classroom animals. *Florida State Law, Code # 39-6.004 A-7

30x15x12 with branches and access to ultraviolet light.

Habitat for Aquatic TurtlePhoto Price Capacity Includes Consumer

rating

$25039"L X 21"W X 16"H

Replicates natural pond environment. Has water and land areas.

1 Turtle tub1 Filter1 Dechlorinator1 Rocks for land area(does not include heat lamp or food – no hood)

$170 30in L x 12in W x 12in H20 gallons

1 Deep Dome Hood1 heat lamp1 UVB lamp1 Submersible Filter1 Turtle DockRiver Pebble (10lb)1 Water Conditioner1 Thermometer1 Aquatic Turtle Food1 Aquatic Turtle Care Book

$240 17.5 in H x 37.5 in W x 19.5 in D 1Sliding top1External Canister Filter1Turtle Dock (Med)1 Aquatic Turtle UVB & Heat Lighting Kit1 Aquatic Turtle Food Sampler Pack1 Decorative plastic plant

Minimum cage size requirements for classroom animals. *Florida State Law, Code # 39-6.004 A-7 For 1 turtle an area of 5 times the turtles body size is required. Must have a pool, sun, and shade areas.

Habitat for Leopard Geko (adults grow to a length of 7-10 inches)

Minimum cage size requirements for classroom animals. *Florida State Law, Code # 39-6.004 A-7 for 1-2 lizards – 20x10x15 with branches and access to ultraviolet light.

Photo Price Capacity Includes Consumer rating

$92 20"Lx10"Wx12"H 10 gallon

UV lighting and heat lamps1 thermometer1 sand bedding1 Built in screen top1 Water and food dish 1 Reptivite reptile vitamins and Calcium food samplesCare of Leopard Geckos book

$150 20"Lx10"Wx12"H 10 gallon

screen top Sand MatTerrarium Substrate (sand)HeaterThermometerLED fixtureWater BowlHide CaveCalcium with D3 & Multivitamin Care Guide

$80 20"Lx10"Wx12"H 10 gallon

1 sliding screen topSand Mat Heater Thermometer LED fixture Water Bowl Hide Cave Calcium w/D3 & Multivitamin Care Guide

Minimum cage size requirements for classroom animals. *Florida State Law, Code # 39-6.004 A-7

For 1 guinea pig 1.5 x 2 feet floor space and 1 gnawing log

For 1 rabbit small breed 2 x 3 feet floor space and 1 gnawing log

For 1 rabbit larger breed 2 x 4 feet floor space and 1 gnawing log

Habitat for Ball Python (adults can grow up to 5 feet long)

Photo Price Capacity Includes Consumer rating$186 48 in L x 24 in W x 24 in H 2 comfort shelves

2 safety rampsfood dish caster wheels

$67 30 in L x 18 in W x 19 in H comfort shelfsafety rampwater bottlefood dishHay feedercaster wheels

$120 42in L x 18 in W x 17.5 in H Comfort shelfSafety rampWater BottleFood Dish

Photo Price Capacity Includes Consumer rating

$180 30"Lx12"Wx12"H

20 gallons

Dome and basking lampAspen beddingHiding hutThermometer and humidity gaugeWater bowlReptisafe water conditionerSnake Care Guide

$240 36”L x 18” W x 18”H

40 gallons

Dome and basking lampAspen beddingHiding hutThermometer and humidity gaugeWater bowlReptisafe water conditionerSnake Care Guide

$160 30"Lx12"Wx12"H

20 gallons

Halogen Mini Dome with BulbSnake & Lizard beddingRock Hiding DenHumidity and Temperature Guage DriftwoodWater bowlHeat Mat

Minimum cage size requirements for classroom animals. *Florida State Law, Code # 39-6.004 A-7

A perimeter of 1.5 times the snakes length, a resting limb, a large rock, and a soaking area.

Habitat for RatPhoto Price Capacity Includes Consumer

rating$30 25 in L x 12in W x 12 in H Cage only

(will need to purchase water bottle, food dish, bedding, food, and exerciser separately – about $40)

$100 28" L x 18" W x 32" H 1 - Flying Saucer exerciser 2 - solid surface shelves2 - Easy to climb treaded ramps1 - Comfortable Hammock 1 - Food Dish1 - 16oz drip resistant water bottle with spring hangerfood and bedding

$50 24 in L x 12 in W x 14 in H Food dishClimbing ramp(will need to purchase water bottle, food dish, bedding, food, and exerciser separately – about $35)

Minimum cage size requirements for classroom animals. *Florida State Law, Code # 39-6.004 A-7

For 1-2 rats : 18” x 18” floor space and 1 gnawing log

Habitat for a Hermit CrabPhoto Price Capacity Includes Consumer rating

$62 20"L x 10" W x 12"H 10g Terrarium with sliding screen top5lb Vita-Sand (sonoran white)Hermit crab soilHermit crab mineral blockswater and food dishesHermit Crab care guideHermit crab water conditionerHermit crab food

with 10 gallon aquarium

$38 20"L x 10" W x 12"H Hermit Crab Care BookHermit Crab ThermometerHermit Crab SandHermit Crab SoilHermit Crab FoodSmall Water DishHermit Crab Sea SpongeFancy Hermit Crab Shell(mineral block, and water conditioner must be purchased separately – about $15

$19 12”L x 8” W x 10 “ H one fully-ventilated, flip-top plastic homeclimbing gridspongegravelnatural climbing branch(Food, water conditioner, and mineral block must be purchased separately. About $20)

Hermit crabs will also need sea salt, sand for changing substrate, and extra shells. This will cost about $20. No minimum cage size requirements by Florida law

What Pet Should We Get?Pet Habitat Environmen

tcare food Cost of

foodcost of

petCost of habitat

Life expectanc

y

Smell/ shedding